Patrick

Next Thursday we will be arriving at the new Pan Pacific Village Center in Whistler (they insist it really is opening today). It ends up it is the birthday of one of our group. So, although I've read the restaurant suggestions here, I'm still undecided where we should go for that evening. We're only there two nights and are thinking Trattoria Umberto the other night. We aren't really looking for elegant, formal, or pretentious -- and some of the "big deal" restaurants that I've read here don't seem to be calling us. Price isn't so much an object, and we want a fun evening with really good food (any type).
Suggestions?

cmcfong

Patrick, about two km outside of town is the Edgewater Lake Lodge. The food was outstanding on our visit there last summer. They are situated on the lake and have a large lawn where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine before dinner. Great views of the mountains and the sea planes coming and going. We were a group of eight and we were seated together comfortably and had a wonderful time. Very casual and relaxed enviornment with excellent food. As I recall the salmon was wonderful. Whistler Al had recommended it to me. He used to post here regularly but I haven't seen anything from him in quite a while. For a casual lunch or brunch he suggested Wildflowers in the tennis club. Sounds wierd but it worked out very well for us. I think we were the only tourists there. I hope you and Lee have a marvelous trip.

Patrick

Thanks for a perfect suggestion. I just looked at the website for the lodge, and assuming the food is even decent, it just seems perfect. Funny thing is, I found an old post where Whistler Al mentions the lodge, saying he lives right across from it, and he talked about hiking to or from there, but never saw a mention of the dining room. Since our other 12 nights of dining will be in Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, etc., this rustic lodge seems like a spectacular variation from our norm!

Thanks for the good wishes.

cmcfong

If you are interested in another suggestion, the Beachhouse restaurant is located on the drive in to Vancouver from Whistler. Al suggested it and we loved it. It is right on the beach.

curiousgeo

If you need someplace more basic in the Village itself, Hy's Steakhouse at the Delta Suites is a solid choice. Well prepared food in a pleasant atmosphere. They also have a branch in Vancouver and although I suppose it could be considered a chain, as they are located in a number of Canadian cities, they maintain a high standard of quality.

While I haven't tried Trattoria Umberto, it looks very nice with a good menu. If you do go I'd be interested to hear your impressions as it on my list of places to try.

dandy

I second the post on Edgewater Lodge. It was our friends birthday too and we took them for a carriage ride around the lake and then to dinner at the Lodge. They were so thrilled by the whole experience. The carriage ride was beautiful and the ambience at the Edgewater was so relaxing. The food was really good and to top it off, the played Diana Krall's CD over the speakers which just so happened to be our friend's favorite singer! It was a PERFECT birthday dinner! Whistler Al also recommeneded Sushi Village in the village - that was also VERY good! Hope this helps!

WhistlerAl

Hi Patrick,
We haven't been to dinner at the Edgewater for a few years, despite it being only a 5 minute walk from our house, but I have only heard good reviews of it from tourists. We are so hooked on Sushi Village that we seem to always end up there. Our second favorite is Trattoria Umberto( ask Walter for table number 1) We have been to Araxi a couple of times this year, and it has been great too. The ultimate in seafood though is the Rimrock and it is always exceptional.The Edgewater will have a great view, but I don't think that they can match the Rimrock for quality of food.
Next thursday is the full moon, so if you are having a late dinner, you may want to be at the Edgewater to watch the moon rise over the mountain, while having after dinner drinks on the lawn. have I totally confused you yet??
The Wildwood at the tennis club has perfect eggs benedict( try the sampler) and great Caesers( for bloody Mary fans that want something even better) and for lunch Sachi Sushi is a must.
The weather here has been marginal at best, but is supposed to be good starting this Sunday.It should be in the high 80's during the day, but cool in the evening. Hopefully you will get a chance to go up the gondola for a hike around the peak. If you do, pay the extra($8 ??) and take the peak chair to the top. Lunch at Steeps is good, but try to do the hike in the morning and come back down for lunch at Sachi instead. Do make sure to take insect repellant with you.Also take your camera. We saw a gorgeous dark brown colored black bear on the golf course yesterday, and there is a mother with 3 cubs feeding on Whistler most days. If you have any other questions, please ask!! Cheers, Al

Patrick

Hi, Whistler Al. I called and booked for Edgewater at 8 next Thursday. Will we see the moon by 10 or so? I checked on sunset and see it is a little after 9:00.
Yes, it was your recommendation for Trattoria Umberto that made me think of that. We can get great food at a dozen restaurants at home, but there ain't nothing like a lodge by the lake in the mountains in Naples, Florida. I think we're going for the setting. As I mentioned, even if the food is only decent, we'll be happy.
I'll have to think about the carriage ride.
Weather underground listed a high of 86 and low of 78 for next Tuesday (?) in Whistler. I thought that sounded like an awfully high "low" for nightime, but today I see they changed their predictions -- or maybe that was just a mistake.

WhistlerAl

Actually the moon is rising fairly early. I was just out for a walk, and it was up at 8:20. The view of the mountains will be great though. Enjoy your visit. Cheers, Al

icithecat

Patrick
Try this link rather than wunderground.
Moonrise is lower left.
http://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/city/p..._metric_e.html

lavaflow

Patrick -- You probably won't get this message, but in case you do, I would love to hear your review on the Pan Pacific Village Center hotel. My husband and I are considering staying there in September. Your review would help us decide whether to stay there or somewhere else. Thank you!

Patrick

Well, we're currently in Ashland, Oregon, and plan to do a full report when I get home, but in regards to the Pan Pacific Whistler Village:
I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt with being new and not working out the bugs yet.
For example:
We made the mistake of using their valet parking. It took us over a half hour each time we wanted our car -- not because they were busy, but because they couldn't find the single valet who also had other duties. Then the one time, after waiting and waiting, he brought the wrong car -- more waiting.
We had a two bedroom,two bath suite. The designer should be shot. We moved the huge chair from the bedroom, the only place to sit in there, as it filled the corner by the bed. To get to the one side of the bed, you had to climb over the chair.
I could not see to shave, the lighting in the bath was so weak and so poor.
There was no hair dryer -- a surprise.
The second bedroom has no closet, only a small armoire that you couldn't hang anything in.
There was no turn down service.
Room didn't get made up until 4 in the afternoon.
The TV in the bedroom had no remote control. No one knew how to get one.
One girl at the front desk was helpful with local suggestions. No one else (when she was gone) seemed to have a clue as they were all new to Whistler.
I had to be very careful in the slate shower. The hole cut in the slate for the drain was too big, and the drain cover too recessed, so you could easily cut your foot on the raw edge of tile.
Bathrooms were painted plain white -- it all seemed so cheap.
How many of these things will get corrected remains to be seen.

lavaflow

Patrick-- Thank you so much for responding to this post. I honestly didn't think you would actually ever see this! I am so sorry you had such a disappointing stay at the Pan Pacific. It really does seem like they need to work out the bugs. However, based on your description, you certainly helped make up my mind on where to stay. I will be cancelling our reservation there tomorrow. I'm sure your review of the Pan Pacific will help other travelers, who might also be considering staying there. Thank you again.